Professional Pilot Program

Course Description

With our Professional Pilot Program, you can be on your way to a career in aviation as a commercial pilot in record time. You will be training with some of the finest instructors in Alaska in an accelerated and structured format. The program is designed to take you from Private to Instrument to Commercial Pilot. If you wish to add the CFI rating and you’re the right person for the job, we will guarantee you a position as an instructor with Fly Around Alaska.

You will be immersed into the flying environment with a combination of ground instruction, self-study and over 250 hours of actual flight time in our aircraft, (not like the other schools using simulator and safety pilot time). We do not do any of our flight training in a simulator. All of your flight training will be in a real aircraft actually flying. We believe that there is nothing like having the controls of the plane while you train.

This program takes an average of 3 to 6 months to complete and will require 100% dedication of your time to becoming a professional pilot. This timeframe assumes there are no weather delays or unforeseen factors out of our control including but not limited to the student’s lack of studying or the student canceling scheduled lessons. This is a very aggressive program and requires the student to focus on studies and do a lot of Flying!

The program includes all training materials, ground school and flight time needed to become a professional pilot. All solo time building in our aircraft will be scheduled for you to maximize the best possible results. Our program will be some of the most demanding training you will ever undergo since we train to mastery and not just check ride proficiency. The airlines and the military train this way for a reason...it works!!

Retention with accelerated training is far superior compared to training that is spread out over several years, and it saves you money. You will train in a relaxed yet structured environment, and we will do everything possible to make it a memorable experience. No prior flight experience is required.

This course includes the flight and ground instruction to meet the needs of an average student with good English language skills and ability. If you require more time to finish, we will work with you until you achieve your goal and become a professional pilot at our normal daily training rate.

Upon completion of the Professional Pilot Program, you will be a safe, proficient, and confident, Commercial and Instrument rated Pilot. You may also choose to add on a Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, and MEI rating at this point as well.

 

Syllabus Based Training

There’s little doubt as to the efficiency of a good syllabus. There are very few part 61 schools that use this type of training. Mostly because it requires dedication between the instructor and the student and they prefer to just take the easy approach and not use one. We believe that the use of a syllabus is the only way to teach and it has many benefits, including:

• Better standardization of both students and instructors. If an instructor must cancel, another instructor can pick up the lesson and teach it without interruption if he or she knows where the student is in the program.

• Lower costs for the student. Students are always looking to save money, and there’s nothing more annoying to them than feeling like they are spinning their wheels. With a syllabus, they can monitor their own progress and become more efficient as a result.

• Transparency. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are times when students believe they are being ripped off. A syllabus puts everyone on the same page and allows both instructors and students to defend their decisions. This is especially true when the syllabus has completion standards for each lesson.

Medical Certificate

This physical must be conducted by an FAA-designated Airman Medical Examiner. You will be asked to fill out an online FAA application and medical history form. The doctor will check your vision, hearing, balance, and nose and throat. The doctor will determine that you do not have any mental or neurological problems such as alcoholism, epilepsy, psychosis, or a serious medical condition such as chronic heart disease or diabetes mellitus. The doctor will also ensure that you are not taking medications such as controlled substances, psychiatric or psychotropic medications, or anti-depressants.

We highly recommend Dr. Robert Thomas in Anchorage, Alaska. (907)868-2961

A current second-class medical certificate is required prior to starting the Professional Pilot Program

• The second-class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue plus 12 calendar months
• At the end of 12 months, it reverts to a third class and is good for an additional year

 

Student Pilot Certificate

You must have your physical Student Pilot Certificate in hand prior to starting the Professional Pilot Program. Once you complete your application it will take up to three (3) weeks to receive it in the mail. However, most students have received their card in about 7-10 days. We can assist you with the application for your Student Pilot Certificate.

Knowledge Test

The Airman Knowledge Test examines you on aviation concepts and piloting information that you need to learn for your training. It is a computerized exam, and you will have tests for the private, instrument, and commercial portions of the program. Topics that you can be tested on (in the knowledge test) range from the current FARs to air traffic control information to cross-country flight planning.

The Private Pilot Airman Knowledge Test will need to be passed before you start your Professional Pilot Program.

Once we receive your deposit, we will provide you with an online-based ASA Ground School course that you will use to study for your written test. This course provides you with an e-book, over 10 hours of video presentations, and practice quizzes to prepare you for your written knowledge exam. We have found this to be much more beneficial and practical than the standard ground schools that other flight schools use. We recommend having a grade of 85% or higher on your written exam to excel at this program. You know when you will be ready for your written exam when you can pass three practice tests with a score of 90% or above.

Instructors and Location

Flight training at our Palmer, Alaska campus will be taught by one of our mature, friendly, and knowledgeable instructors. Our instructors have been in aviation for many years and are Commercial, Instrument, and Multi-Engine rated, including CFI and CFII for fixed wing single and multi-engine aircraft.

 

Financing Options

We know that costs associated with flight training can be quite an investment. For financing your program, we recommend AOPA which is geared specifically toward pilot training:

AOPA Finance     https://www.finance.aopa.org     1-800-627-5263
Pilot Finance        https://www.pilotfinance.com      1-800-667-0201
SuperMoney        www.supermoney.com

Other options for financing may be your personal credit union, or a low or no-interest credit card.